If you are living in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and have an approved or pending immigrant visa petition, you may be closer to filing your Adjustment of Status application than you think. Each month, the U.S. Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin, and USCIS uses it to determine who can move forward with filing Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The April 2026 Bulletin carries important updates for both family sponsored and employment based applicants.
Understanding the Two Charts
The Visa Bulletin contains two separate charts. The first is the Application Final Action Dates chart, which governs when a visa can actually be issued or a case finalized. The second is the Dates for Filing Applications chart, which USCIS may authorize for use when there is sufficient visa supply. When USCIS determines that the Dates for Filing chart applies, applicants with earlier priority dates can file Form I-485 even before their case is ready for final action. This distinction matters enormously in a backlogged system and is something ALO monitors closely on behalf of every client.
What the April 2026 Dates Show
For employment based applicants, the picture varies sharply by country of birth. First preference EB1 applicants born in most countries remain current, while those born in India and China face a priority date cutoff of December 1, 2023. Second preference EB2 applicants born in India face a cutoff of January 15, 2015, and those born in China face January 1, 2022. Third preference EB3 applicants born in India and China share the same January 15, 2015 cutoff. For most countries outside of India, China, and the Philippines, EB2 and EB3 remain current.
For family sponsored applicants, movement is slower. The F2A category, covering spouses and minor children of permanent residents, remains current across all countries. Other family preference categories show significant backlogs, particularly for Mexico and the Philippines, with F3 and F4 priority dates extending back to 2001 in some cases.
Your Priority Date Is Your Starting Point
Your priority date is generally the date your employer or family member filed your immigrant visa petition with USCIS. If your petition required a labor certification through the Department of Labor, your priority date is the date that application was accepted by DOL. If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in the applicable Visa Bulletin chart, and USCIS has authorized use of the Dates for Filing chart, you may be eligible to file Form I-485 now.
Why Timing Your Filing Correctly Matters
Filing too early can result in a rejected application. Filing too late can mean missing a narrow window when your date is current. An experienced immigration attorney reviews the monthly Visa Bulletin, tracks USCIS guidance on which chart applies, and helps you prepare a complete I-485 package so you are ready to file the moment your window opens.
At Ahluwalia Law Offices, we work with clients across employment based and family based green card pathways nationally. If you are uncertain whether your priority date is current or which chart governs your case, reach out to our team for a strategic consultation.
FAQ SECTION
What is a priority date in an Adjustment of Status case?
Your priority date is generally the date your immigrant visa petition was properly filed with USCIS. If your case required a DOL labor certification, it is the date that application was accepted by the Department of Labor. Your priority date determines your place in the visa queue.
What is the difference between the Final Action Dates chart and the Dates for Filing chart?
The Final Action Dates chart governs when a visa can be finally issued. The Dates for Filing chart, when authorized by USCIS, allows applicants with earlier priority dates to file Form I-485 before final visa availability. USCIS announces each month which chart applies for adjustment of status filings.
Can I file my I-485 if my priority date is current?
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed in the chart USCIS has authorized for that month, and you are otherwise eligible, you may file Form I-485. A current (“C”) designation means all applicants in that category may file immediately.
What does “U” mean in the Visa Bulletin?
“U” stands for unauthorized. It means immigrant visa numbers are not available for that category and country combination during that month.
Where can I verify the most current Visa Bulletin information?
The Department of State publishes the Visa Bulletin monthly at travel.state.gov. USCIS posts guidance at uscis.gov confirming which chart to use for adjustment of status filings each month.
